Vickery said the off-season break had given him a chance to think about his future, with the tall forward deciding he was ready to start his post-football life.

"Football has been a huge part of my life, but I don’t have the same passion for the game that I once did," Vickery said in a statement released by the club.

"To have the freedom to travel and explore other opportunities away from football is something I’m really looking forward to and a big part of my decision.

"I’d like to thank Hawthorn and Richmond football club for all the support and opportunities over my career.

"I’ve been blessed to play at two great clubs and I’ll leave the game with a lot of close mates and great memories."

Vickery crossed to the Hawks during last year's free agency period after Richmond decided not to match a two-year offer from the Hawks.

The financial terms of Hawthorn's offer meant the Tigers received a second-round compensation pick (No.29 overall), which they used to recruit small forward Shai Bolton in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright said Vickery's decision to retire had materialised over the past month.

"He was having some doubts about whether he wanted to go on as a player, considering he might play a fair degree of VFL football next year," Wright told hawthornfc.com.au.

"From his perspective it was all about moving on with the next stage of his life.

"His wife is obviously on the tennis circuit, and if he was looking at playing a fair bit of VFL football next year then the decision from his point of view was to move on with the rest of his life and travel a bit with his wife.

"For 2018 he will remain on the list. There's no advantage for us from that perspective. He's on the list and his money is in the cap."

The Hawks said they were disappointed with Vickery's decision but grateful for the open and honest approach he had taken over recent weeks when planning his future.

Vickery was taken by Richmond with pick No.8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, kicking 160 goals across his 125-game career.

His wife, Arina Rodionova, is a professional tennis player with a world singles ranking of No.117.

Vickery endured a difficult season with the Hawks, with police investigating an alleged dispute with his business partner in July.

He was also the subject of venomous social media criticism during the Hawks' disappointing 0-4 start to the season.